CARMINE FIORE NAMED OCAA MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

TORONTO - The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) is proud to announce that Carmine Fiore of Humber Polytechnic has been named its 2025-26 Male Athlete of the Year.

Fiore's impact on the Humber Hawks men's soccer program goes far beyond the stat sheet, for he is the foundation of a championship identity built on discipline, structure, and elite defending. As a central figure on the back line, Fiore (Woodbridge) helped lead Humber to back-to-back Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) national championships, anchoring a unit that established itself as the province's best defensive team.

Fiore started and competed in seven of Humber's 10 regular-season matches. The Hawks dominated the West Division, finishing with a perfect 10-0 record and a 32-4 goal differential to secure the regular-season championship. In recognition of his performance, Fiore was named the West Division Defensive Player of the Year and a West Division First-Team All-Star.

Humber's superior play continued into the post-season as the Hawks outscored their first two opponents by a combined total of 19-0. Traveling to Algonquin for the OCAA championship, Humber secured its return ticket to nationals with a 3-0 victory over Seneca in the semifinals. Demonstrating that he has more to offer than just defence, Fiore tallied the match's first two goals. More importantly, Humber increased the number of clean sheets they had against OCAA competition to 10, with Fiore playing an important role in this endeavour.

Humber's dreams of an undefeated season came to a sudden halt the following day when division rival Conestoga avenged two regular season losses by upsetting the Hawks 2-0 in the gold medal match. Despite this setback, Fiore was recognized as an OCAA Championship All-Star.

Although a disappointing end to the OCAA season, it was an opportunity for the Hawks to refocus on the significant opportunity that laid ahead. With the program returning to nationals for the sixth time in seven opportunities, Fiore scored the game-winning goal in Humber's 2-1 win over Montmorency in the CCAA quarter-final. Fiore was named Player of the Match for the Hawks.

The Hawks played lockdown defence the following day, blanking UKC 3-0 to earn a return trip to the gold medal match. Standing in the way of their 11th national crown was host Champlain Saint-Lambert and its partisan supporters. Limiting the Cavaliers to just four shots on goal, the match remained scoreless for the first 75 minutes before Humber broke the ice with two consecutive scores. The Hawks held on to a 2-1 victory, and Fiore was recognized as the top player at the tournament being named CCAA Championship MVP.

Fiore also competed on the indoor circuit this winter, as the Hawks claimed the silver medal. Fiore's ability to control space, win aerial battles, and organize the back end allowed Humber to dictate matches and consistently shut down opposing attacks. His playing style is defined by relentless intensity and a physical edge that sets the tone — an intimidating presence who thrives in duels, disrupts rhythm, and makes opposing forwards uncomfortable from the opening whistle. 

PREVIOUS OCAA MALE ATHLETES OF THE YEAR
2024-25 — Malik Grant, Humber Basketball
2023-24 — Malachi Ramsay, Conestoga Soccer
2022-23 — Luca Uccello, Humber Soccer
2021-22 — DeQuon Cascart, Humber Basketball
2019-20 — Nick Campbell, Sheridan Basketball
2018-19 — Kyle Rooke, Mohawk Cross Country
2017-18 — Cole Jordan, Fanshawe Volleyball
2016-17 — Seth Marcaccio, Fanshawe Cross Country
2015-16 — Jesse Assing, Humber Soccer, Badminton, Indoor Soccer
2014-15 — Matt Fennell, Mohawk Basketball
2013-14 — Vadim Halimov, George Brown Basketball
2012-13 — Frankie Edgecombe, Nipissing Volleyball
2011-12 — Aminu Bello, Mohawk Basketball
2010-11 — Eric Smith, Durham Basketball
2009-10 — Ryan Talsma, Redeemer Volleyball
2008-09 — Charley Spurr, Algonquin Basketball
2007-08 — Jasmin Cull, Mohawk Volleyball
2006-07 — Loui Legakis, Algonquin Soccer
2005-06 — Peter Sniuolis, Mohawk Volleyball
2004-05 — Nathaniel Allard, Centennial Badminton
2003-04 — Glendon Thomas, Cambrian Badminton
2002-03 — Joey Martins, Loyalist Soccer, Volleyball
2001-02 — Mike Silva, Humber Soccer, Indoor Soccer
2000-01 — John Sozio, Mohawk Soccer
1999-2000 — Shane Bascoe, Sheridan Basketball
1998-99 — Bill Crowdis, Durham Basketball
1997-98 — Mike Kaytar & Bob Parnell, Cambrian Badminton

- OCAA -

ABOUT ONTARIO COLLEGES ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

For nearly 60 years, the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association has been a dedicated leader in amateur athletics through the provision of quality varsity and recreational athletic opportunities at the collegiate level.

For additional information please contact:
Josh Bell-Webster
Marketing and Communications
Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
Tel: 416-426-7041
E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com